Young people air views on heart problem services

A dozen teenagers and young people, along with some of their parents, have given their views on services for people born with heart problems.

They were taking part in a special event in the city organised by NHS England, which is carrying out a review into the future of services at hospitals in England.

A spokesman said: "The event involved 12 young people, mainly older teens and or in their early 20s, and six parents.

"They took part in discussions in small groups led by youth workers, which looked at what does and doesn't work for them and what people need to be aware of when working with young people with congenital heart disease.

"We also talked with parents about how difficult it is separating from their children for example when they go to university and need to get care elsewhere.

"This identified a need for the same approach to be taken to care across the country and how we need to set standards to support this.

"We now intend to continue this dialogue and we have asked everyone who attended the event to keep sharing their views with us."

Debbie Irons, from Walcote, was one of the attendees, with her son Joshua, 21, who has had three major open heart operations after being born with heart defects.

She said: "This review is looking at overall services and not dividing it into children's services and adult services, which is a good thing.

"I do get the feeling this review team is listening to us, which I don't think the last one, which was called Safe and Sustainable, did.

"I almost got the impression that review had made up its mind in advance. I do have more faith in this review."